Russell is loved by a large number of people and he can be incredibly funny. But his appointment was symptomatic of a great mistake made since the John Birt tenure - the air-lifting of TV presenters into radio studios just because they've been good on television - John probably started it just to save money. I protested at Russell's appointment, but this was not an attack on him or an attack on Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas; I just didn't think he was the right fit for the station - 20 years ago Radio 2 wouldn't have had Roy Chubby Brown. I knew it would end in tears because it could only end in tears. The more rope he was given not only increased the chances that Russell would hang himself but that he would hang other people as well. The most significant thing was that it all provided a perfect opportunity for critics to gleefully jump in. The BBC is the glue that holds this society together, and anyone who advocates taking it away or diluting it risks the dissolution of the ties that bind the country. I'm not exaggerating.

It was also a personal horror show for Jonathan Ross - we've been friends for 20 years and used to own a comic store together. He could never have foreseen that his contract would be revealed and he would become an icon of greed at a very sensitive time. When he returns, Jonathan, and every producer and presenter, will be mindful of what rappers call the 'haters' - people just waiting for the next piece of meat - so you have to not give it to them.